Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Friday, October 27, 2006

The Little Move 06 has been scheduled for Saturday, November 4th! We've reserved the U-Haul and we've been busy packing boxes! Thank goodness it will not be as intense as BM '06, but at least we've all got enough practice! Updates soon to follow!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Last weekend some of my friends and bridesmaids hosted a Room to Room shower. It was held at Anna Haskins' house (she's one of my friends from work). Abbey came down from Nashville to help host the shower and to cook all of the desserts (see below). My Mom and Brookie's Mom, his Aunt, and his Grandmother all came to Jackson for it too.

The picture below is of me and Anna-Haskins.

This picture was taken when I was opening my gift from all the hostesses! It was a set of mixing bowls in my Gail Pittman pattern.

Look at all those gifts!

These strawberrys were so good (and pretty!) Abbey made this chocolate covered strawberries for the shower and she drew the little A's on each one! She is known as the Amazing Dessertista! :)This is a picture of me with two of the hostesses. On the left is Rebecca (one of my bridesmaids) and on the right is Lisa (she is the registry attendant).The shower was wonderful, all the food was yummy, we received some wonderful gifts and I loved getting to see everybody!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

We had our Batesville shower this past weekend. It went so well! My mom and I got to see a lot of people that we haven't seen in awhile. Brookie and I received so many great gifts from everyone and greatly appreciate everyone's generosity. We're now in the running for the most Peter's Pottery in the family!

Thursday, October 05, 2006

There is something purely magical about this time of year. Autumn is a time for harvest and gathering and for me it is a time of reflection and thankfulness. As the days grow shorter and the nights turn cooler, it takes me back to the days of Friday night lights and the smell of hamburgers cooking on the charcoal grill at Rebel Field. It takes me back to Mom at the pep rallies and her coordinating our homecoming floats. I can recall gametime and the snap of the chip strap buckling just after the Nathional Anthem as I take my place as the man in the middle. The nervous anticipation just before opening kickoff and the overwhelming sense of invincibility before the initial crack of the pads. The way there was only one voice in the crowd that proved to be a perpetual source of inspiration for the 48 minute trench war and the feeling of respect you receive from many of the weekly "enemies" that eventually become friends for life .

This time of year brings back the moans of cotton pickers harvesting a bumper crop and the smell of the cotton being dumped into the module builders before being hauled to the gin. From checking the cotton for Second Generation Bollworms to putting down and "attempting" to effectively utilize Polypipe reminds me of the hard work and perserverence it takes to be successful in life. This time of year reminds me of the dedication of my parents to shape me into the type of man who by faith can overcome any obstacle that life may place in front of me. It also reminds me that no matter where your feet may be planted, you are never far from your roots. As the cool becomes cold, the annual migration commences and the brotherhood begins. There is no way for a person to be more connected to God than to hear the whistling of wings at daybreak and looking above to see the cupped wings and the dropped landing gear of a flock of mallard ducks. My memories take me back to my most favorite duck hunt. My dad, brother, and I departed on what turned out to be a three hour tour. We broke from the house around 3:00 a.m. to one of our past hot spots. Charting a john boat and three paddles, we set off into a pitch black lake bottom with a hundred pounds of gear and eight dollar Walmart head lamps. Using my unequaled Eagle Scout navigation skills, we paddled around in circles for the next several hours. Thanks to Dad, we finally found our way out to the location that was a mere hundred yards from shore. Embarrassment being understated, we came up bird free. However, I cannot recall a moment where I have enjoyed the company of my two favorite men any more than our disaster duck hunt.

Finally, the afternoons bring back opening day and the anticipation of the first deer of the season. From the trials of Shelton getting his first deer to Dad's bobcat buck, the thoughts are too numerous to recall. From Magna Vista to Shiloh, the best memories of my life are buried in a place that now no longer exists.

As I now look forward to making new memories with the most amazing young lady I have ever met, I cherish the positive experiences in my life that happened in these same very months. It almost seems fitting that my most memorable day is only weeks away. I am thankful for all that God has bestowed upon my life and the examples that I have been provided. Indeed, there is something truly special about this time of year.

This is now the third attempt at writing this post!The first time the weather cut the internet connectionout last night, and then the second time it just mysteriouslydisappeared.

We received our first official wedding gift lastweek. It is a Good Earth square platter in theBlue Bird pattern. We both love it! Good Earthpottery is made in Starkville, MS (home of the Mississippi State Bulldogs). The platter wasgiven to us by one of the producers at theTupelo office of Ross and Yerger.

This is our second official wedding gift and no we aren't going to post each one! We're justboth so excited! It is a dinner plate from ourWaterford fine china. The band appears gold,but it is actually platinum, not chrome likethe Ford Special Edition truck! It came fromBrookie's boss at work.

This is our Guest and Gift box we purchasedto help us stay organized! It has a card for eachone of our guest so we can keep up with ourinvitations sent, gifts received and thank you noteswritten!